Puttur: Don Bosco, Fr Mark Castelino's Play on Easter Sunday

Daijiworld Media Network

Puttur, Apr 21: The United Nations Organisation has declared the preset year (12 August 2010-11 August 2011) as the International Year of the Youth (IYY). The Pope has also, keeping in mind the role of the youth in building the present society, invited the whole universal Church to celebrate the IYY.

Though no special celebrations of the IYY have taken place in India, the Konkan Karavaliche Kalaakar (KKK) of the city under the experienced playwright and director Rev Dr Mark Castelino is celebrating the IYY by staging a Konkani historical mega Drama on the life of Don Bosco, Apostle of Youth, Yuvajanacho Apostle Don Bosco. The historical mega play written and directed by Dr Mark Castelino will be staged at Puttur on Easter Sunday April 24 at 6.30 pm on four drama stages with the help of about 100 artistes. Since the present Konkani mega Play is a free show (organised by Don Bosco Club, Puttur) all are welcome to contribute their mite to meet the expenses and enjoy watching the mega show.

About Don Bosco

Don Bosco was born on August 16, 1815 at Becchi, near Turin, Italy. Due to the local problems of the youth, Don Bosco took up his dedicated service to the youth after his ordination. He began to meet the poor street boys and young prisoners in prison and began to develop a soft corner to youngsters. When many parents refused to take back their sons after a short duration of imprisonment (due to petty thefts like stealing bread) the youngsters finding nowhere to go took shelter under Don Bosco. The talk of his magnanimous nature spread far and wide as Don Bosco opened the doors of his residence to the prisoners, thieves and problematic youngsters.

Through his own efforts Don Bosco began to teach faith and morals to the illiterate youngsters and began to build self-confidence in them by allowing them to play football. The youngsters began to receive some ray of hope in their lives as they were accepted by Don Bosco, while on the other hand the youngsters were disowned by their parents. Don Bosco began to teach them slowly various types of trades so that the youngsters could become self-reliant. When the local Italian government was struggling to house 200 prisoners, Don Bosco was feeding and training 300 youngsters in skilled trades like carpentry, cobbler, tailoring, book-binding, printing press etc. Hence the government learnt from Don Bosco various methodology and techniques used in handling and guiding the youngsters. As a result the public developed a deep sense of respect towards Don Bosco and the church for not only rendering selfless service to the youngsters but teaching the youngsters various types of trades to earn their livelihood in the society.

There is no one in the world history who has worked and dedicated one's entire life to the youth except Don Dosco. The various government departments, government organisations, non-government organisations and the society at large should learn from Don Bosco (as the Italian government learnt from Don Bosco) as to how the present society can be built by adopting the various methods and techniques of Don Bosco. If the youngsters are neglected the families will suffer very badly because all the youngsters hail from families and they are always in need of proper motivation, guidance, and encouragement to build a just, peaceful and harmonious society. The future of the society depends on the present youth.

Playwright Rev Dr Mark Castelino

The writer and the director of the play Dr Mark Castelino has vast experience in writing, directing and staging Konkani historical mega play to his credit. He has been staging Konkani mega dramas since 2007.

Rev Dr Mark's Other Works

Somiyachin Nimaani Baara Voran (The last 12 hours of Jesus) written by Joel Pereira, acted by Konkani Naatak Sabha, staged by Rev. Dr. Mark Castelino at St.Agnes Special School ground, Bendure, Mangalore, on 18.03.2007 to a crowd of more than five thousand people.

Jesu Bovanrichyo sthriyo (women around Jeusu) written by Arunraj Ludrik acted by Mandd Sobhan, staged by Rev. Dr Mark Castelino at St Agnes Special School ground, Bendore, Mangalore, on 09.03.2008 to a five thousand crowd.

Jenthilancho Apostle San Paul (St.Paul: An Aposle to the Gentiles): A historiacal Konkani Mega Play written by Dr Mark Castelino for the ‘International Year of Paul’, acted by Mandd Sobhan, and staged by Dr Mark Castelino, at St. Agnes Special School ground, Bendure, Mangalore, on 09.03.2008 to a six  thousand crowd.

Kumsaracho Apostle San Juvan Marie Vianney (St.John Marie Vianney: An Apostle of Confession) A historical Konkani Mega Play written and directed byDr Mark Castelino for the ‘International Year of Priests’, acted by  Konkan Karavaliche Kalaakar (KKK), Mangalore, Taccode, and staged by Dr Mark Castelino, at Holy Cross Church ground, Taccode, on Easter Sunday 04.04.2010 to Taccode and neighbouring people.

Kumsaracho Apostle San Juvan Marie Vianney (St.John Marie Vianney: An Apostle of Confession) A historical Konkani Mega Play written nd directed by Dr Mark Castelino for the ‘International Year of Priests’, acted by  Konkan Karavaliche Kalaakar (KKK), Mangalore, Taccode, and staged by Dr Mark Castelino, at Ajekar Church ground, Ajekar, on 09.05.2010 to Ajekar people.